ABAS Members Attend 15th Annual NAPABA Convention
By Richard K. Sueyoshi

In November 2003, the Asian/Pacific Bar Association of Sacramento (ABAS) sent one of its strongest delegations in years to the 15th Annual Convention for the National Asian Pacific America Bar Association (NAPABA) in Honolulu, Hawaii. ABAS's delegation included NAPABA President Ruthe Ashley, NAPABA Regional Governor Rick Sueyoshi, Board of Equalization Member John Chiang, Judge Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Judge Shelleyanne Chang, Judge Russell Hom, NAPABA Past President Nancy Lee, Mark Morodomi, Rebecca Westmore, Darrel Woo and Keith Yamanaka.

Hundreds of Asian Pacific American members of the legal community - attorneys, judges, legal scholars and students - joined elected officials and corporate representatives in Hawaii for the NAPABA convention. NAPABA continues to represent nearly 40,000 APA members from the continental United States, Hawaii and Guam. As one of the most influential bar associations in the country, NAPABA serves as the national voice for the APA legal profession; promotes justice, equality and opportunity for APAs; and fosters professional development, legal scholarship, advocacy and community involvement. This year's convention theme was "Asian Pacific American Currents: Surfing the Pacific Basin Network."

The convention was highlighted by the annual presentation of the NAPABA Trailblazer Awards to recipients from each of the nine NAPABA regions. On behalf of the Eastern California/Nevada region, Regional Governor Rick Sueyoshi presented the 2003 NAPABA Trailblazer Award to Judge Tani Cantil-Sakauye. Judge Cantil-Sakauye was recognized for her career of professional achievement and public service exemplifying the spirit of the NAPABA Trailblazer Award. In 1990, Judge Cantil-Sakauye became the first woman of Asian-Pacific American descent to be appointed to the Sacramento County judiciary and the youngest appointed judge in the state. Since her elevation to the Superior Court, Judge Cantil-Sakauye oversaw one of the first Domestic Violence Home Court pilot projects in the state, and has been committed to domestic violence issues. Prior to joining the bench, Judge Cantil-Sakauye served as Governor Deukmejian's Deputy Legal Affairs Secretary, becoming the first Asian Pacific American woman to serve in the inner circle of the Governor's Office in a legal capacity. Her service continued through her later appointment as Deputy Legislative Secretary. She has been honored for her commitment to the Filipino community and remains active in community organizations, including "My Sister's House," a community organization dedicated to providing a safe haven for Asian Pacific Islander women and their children impacted by domestic violence.

The convention closed with the 15th Annual Installation Banquet at which time the 2003-04 NAPABA Board was installed by U.S. District Court Judge Dana Makoto Sabraw. Upon the installation of the new board, ABAS's own Past President, Ruthe Catolico Ashley, completed a very successful term as NAPABA's 2002-03 President. Under Ruthe's leadership in the past year, NAPABA focused on restructuring the organization to better promote diversity in the judiciary at all levels; continuing a vigilant stand on protecting civil rights of all Americans; and providing direct member services. Ruthe also created NAPABA's Leadership Advisory Council, a group including past NAPABA presidents, major corporate representatives and past board members, to spearhead membership outreach, leadership development and fund-raising. With the tremendous growth in the APA population, NAPABA concluded another productive year in serving the national APA community.